Arch supporting device



Dec, 28, 1948. J. 5. MacARTHUR 2,457,481

ARCH SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 28, 1947 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIAVIII.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIflEP- I Patented Dec. 28, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE. f 7, 2,457,431! 1 I ARCH sorron'rmo imvion John s. MacArthur,Scottsville, N. Y. Application J anuary'28, 1947, Serial No. 724,841

'7 Claims. (Cl. 36-"71) l This invention relates to arch supportdevices, and more particularly to arch supporting inserts for shoes,slippers or other footwear.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved archsupport device for shoes or other footwear which is very simple instructure, easy to install and adjustable over a wide range of shoesizes and shapes.

. A further object ofthe invention is to provide an improved archsupporting device which is inexpensive to manufacture,-provides anefficient and comfortable arch supporting action, and which may beinstalled either during the fabrication of shoes or in completed shoes.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description and claims, and from the accompanyingdrawings, wherein: r

Figure 1 is a topplan view, partly in crosssection, of a shoe providedwith an arch supporting device according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view of the shoe ofFigure 1 but showing a modification of the arch supporting structure.

Figure 3 is an enlarged verticaltransverse detail cross-sectional viewtaken through the sole portion of the shoe of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective deta'ilview of one of the arch supportingsprings employed in the structure of Figure 1.

Figure5 is a perspective detail view of another arch'supporting springemployed in the: structure of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a perspective detail view of a spring holding bracketemployed in the structure of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is other spring holding bracket structure of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, H designates a shoe having a bottom soleportion l2 and a superimposed sole portion l3. Secured on bottom soleportion 12 and extending over the shank portion of the shoe are a pairof arched metal springs l4 and I5, each spring being located adjacent aside of the shoe. The forward ends of the springs are received inrespective holding brackets l6, l6 fastened to bottom sole portion l2,each bracket [6 comprising a plurality of tabs H for securing it to saidbottom sole portion, and a box-like recess portion l8 for receiving theend of an arch spring. One of the brackets I6 is shown in invertedposition in Figure 6.

overlying and secured to the rearward ends a perspective detail view ofanemployed in the "plate I9. Spring of the arched springs l4 and I5 is ametal heel I4 is formed at its rear end with an inwardly directedportion 20 having an elongated notch 2|. Spring I5 is formed at its rearend with an inwardly directed portion 22 having an elongated notch 23.The rear ends of springs l4 and I5 are secured by respective rivets 24and 25 joining the respective elements 20 and 22 to the heel plate l9,said rivets passing through the respective notches 2| and 23. The heelplate I9 is secured to bottom sole portion l2 by a rivet 26.

Where the shape of the shoe requires the rear ends of springs l4 and l5to be closer together than as shown in Figure 1, the rivets 24 and 25may be omitted and the elements 20 and 22 overlapped with the rivet 26passing through the aligned notches 2i and 23. The elements 20 and 22are preferably bevelled so that they may be overlapped and still lie inthe same plane.

To reinforce the securement of elements 20 and 22 when theyareoverlapped, a bracket 21 is employed having tabs 28, 28 adapted to bese-r cured to heel plate l9, and having a channelshaped intermediateportion 29 adapted to receive the overlapped elements 20 and 22.- Therivet 26 then passes through an opening 30 provided in channel portion29.

The upper sole portion I3 is superimposed over the springs l4 and I5 andis suitably recessed to accommodate the brackets l6, l6. Said upper soleportion l3 preferably extends rearwardly into overlying relationshipwith the heel plate l9 so-that the rivet heads 26, 24 and 25 are coveredthereby.

In adapting the invention to a completed shoe, the heel of the shoe isremoved and an extra bottom sole member is employed, said extra bottomsole corresponding in function to the bottom sole [2. The originalbottom sole then corresponds to upper sole member l3 in Figure 2. Theextra bottom sole then carries the arched springs and a heel plate suchas i9 is secured inside the shoe to the ends 20 and 22 of the springs byrivets, as above described, the rivets passing through the leather atthe heel portion of the shoe to engage in the notches 2| and 23 in thealternative manners described above. The extra bottom sole member isthen fastened to the original bottom of the shoe by stitching or othersuitable means and the heel is replaced.

The arch springs l4 and I5 are fabricated from suitable spring metalsuch as a bronze alloy containing phosphorus or the like.

While certain specific embodiments of an arch supporting structure forshoes have been disinwardlydirected por-tio rear ends T,Of,.\S@idn1afspring elements to said heel plate.

2. In footwear, an arch qsupportin'gustrncture otw-earin space s,including; longitudinally; extending ole-amisli dahlyr receiving eelplate, and -meansjfor aiddeaf spring-elements said --mean I channelsfixed*to saidrs said =forvgard' ends a 'h securing-the rea-r endsiofstosaiid heel-plate.

3 .;-In--an article -ofi-footwearran arch supporting structurecomprising -a, pair fof arehed felongated fiat" leaf --spring means'forsecuringthe forward'ends'of thejspring -elemen ts'-'to1-the solef-of thearticle-in,spaceiirrelation-to -each--other ,yeach spring element-hayingan -inwardly-directed portionatfitsrear-end, each inwardly;directed-*portion"gbeing 'forr n-ed--:with:. -a notch,--a-iheel-plate-overlying-said *inwar'gilysdiir ted pe t ons "andrmeans pass nthmush'said heel -;plate -and loekingly -engagingfthe notches. 4; "Inan--article of" footwear, ;;a bottomysole elementand an 'upper soleelement;*andY-anarch supporting-struc-t-ure-disposed hetween said'bottom sole --element-andtrsaid u per sole--=e-lement comprising a-pairof elongated archedleafspring elements, means -for--secu-ring*-the*forw'ar ends of-the spring elements to saidflaottom sole*element in:spaced relation-to each? ment having an inWardly-i directed-end -portionformed with a notch, a heel plate-cverlyingithe n-s,-and a-eommon meansengaged "in '-the-- notches 'ofthe qspring 'elements fqrz' securing saidsaidend portions beingein-overlapping relation. Z 5. 'In; elm-article offootwean an archv supporting -structure gated flat leaf spring elements,independent spring-elements 'to theheel'fimte;

5 whom soles d relation" to :ea'chfiother, v

9. clu-ding iongitudinally n40 and}. ascommcmm eanszcngaged in other;each springeele -v @4- comprising a pair of -arched' 1'elonl0 massing?throughesaid heel selements,

2O element .havin lying said inwardly directediportions; and meansplate: and-lockmgly engaging-the notches.

1 6. In an article of foo ment comprising I .rmeansiafm: securing theforward ends of.;.t1ietspring elements to s ment'in spaced relationitoeach other, each spring 7, g an inwardly directed end portion formedwithtanotchwa heel pl'ate"overlyingithe rinwa-rdlydireetedz portions,r-and'a common means engaged in rthe noiichesof the spring elements forsaidspring-elements to -the -=heel 25 platel said endiportrcns being'oppositely bevelled "element s, independent s5 itOmWSOIG-"andtoverlapped.

ZP InQan articIe of' footwear,abottom sole element and an upperesoleeiement, -arid -an arch supporting structure dispesed between saidbots-element and sa/idwpperesole element comprising-a pairtotelongatedarchedieafrspring eelementswmeans for securing theiforwardends'of the spring elementsttmsaid bottom sole 'zelement inspacedarelationto eaeh othen safd meanspinsextending channels -fixed*toes'aidw sole and slfdably reeeivin =-said forward endseeachs springselement whavingean inwardly directed end portion formed-mitlr-amotch;aheel plate overiying: the' inwarfily 'direot'ed portions,

thesspring aelements vforesecurin-gsaid spring elements to the heelplate, said end portions being ineoverlapp ingmelation.

Iv JDHNQSmMAUA-RIHUR.

Thefiollowmg referencesnanegof recordf'tintthe ,file; .of this natent: I

aid bottom sole ele-

